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‘Prank’ leads to criminal charges; nearly half of seniors to miss graduation

Nearly half the students of an Arkansas senior class will miss their high school graduation, and some are facing criminal charges, after a prank failed to amuse...
prank

OSCEOLA, Ark. -- Nearly half the students of an Arkansas senior class will miss their high school graduation, and some are facing criminal charges, after a prank failed to amuse administrators.

"(There was) a lot of stuff on the floor," said student Jamieon Anderson. "It was a little spray paint, but it wasn't much."

It was all part of the prank Anderson and his classmates pulled.

They didn't have any pictures to share, but they said at least 37 students went into Osceola High School Sunday and dumped trash and water. Other people pulled out spray paint cans.

One student even admitted to peeing in a classroom, and someone apparently let some crickets free too.

"They are saying there was some crickets hopping around, but I don't know who did the cricket," said Anderson. "They say someone went number two in the school and all that. None of that happened."

"We could have cleaned it up. It was just a prank," said student Andonius Burks.

Students said the administrating is buying into the rumors, and that's why they are facing such serious consequences. They said they received a five-day suspension, can't walk at graduation and are facing several criminal charges.

"It wasn't nothing you couldn't fix. It wasn't like we went to school and just broke everything," said Anderson.

WREG sent several emails to Osceola School District staff and left voicemails for the superintendent, but we have yet to hear back.

Police did tell WREG they are investigating.

"They did it. They have to suffer the consequences for that," said parent Sherrie Gaven.

While she and other parents understand their kids made a mistake, they are hoping the administration changes its mind.

"They deserve a second chance to walk across that stage," said parent Mary James.

There are around 80 students in this year's senior class.

Right now, 37, including all-star athletes and honor roll students, won't be at graduation.

"Half of our families (are) coming from out of state, and I don't know how I'm going to tell my grandma I am not walking the stage," said Anderson.

The students said seniors have been pulling pranks at Osceola High for years, but, up until now, they have never faced serious consequences.

Some seniors not involved in the prank said they may hold a protest and not show up to Friday's ceremony, either.

Story from WREG via Tribune Media. 

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